Exclusive - Taarak Mehta's Asit Kumarr Modi shares insight on casting new Sonu and managing daily show challenges amid actor exits

One of the longest running show's of Indian television, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah was recently in the news when Palak Sindhwani decided to quit the show. The makers recently announced Khushi Mali into the role, continuing Sonu's legacy as part of the Tapu Sena and Gokuldham Society. Times Of India TV, recently spoke to the creator of the show, Asit Kumarr Modi, who talked about the challenges of running a daily show, especially when an actor leaves.He explained that finding a replacement, like casting a new Sonu, takes careful thought. They need to choose someone who not only suits the role but also connects with the audience.
Speaking about the challenge of finding a new Sonu and casting an actor overnight, the producer shared, "The entire cast and crew of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah is like family to me. From the spot boys, director to my fellow actors, we all share a close bond because we spend so much time together on set. It truly feels like my extended family. There are two main challenges we face. First, it’s emotional when someone leaves the show; it’s a bit sad to say goodbye. The second challenge is figuring out what comes next, as the show must continue regardless. Each character in TMKOC is well-developed, so we think about how Sonu, Tappu, Babuji, Goli, and Gogi will be portrayed. All the characters work together seamlessly, which is why the show has remained popular for so many years. People still watch it with the same excitement. We need to maintain this momentum and cast new actors who fit well with the characters. If you look closely, the characters in Taarak Mehta are ordinary people like you and me; they represent everyday life."
He further shared, "When casting a young character like Sonu, who is between 20 and 25 years old, we need to consider their family background since our show is meant for family audiences. We look at the person’s habits, background, and how much they value their family. TMKOC is a show that can make someone famous even after just one or two episodes, and the audience often showers them with love. We also have to check if the new actor can handle that kind of attention, as it can be overwhelming. We want to avoid any drama, especially early on. There are several factors to consider, like acting skills, spontaneity, and their eagerness to work. Since we produce 25 episodes with different stories, we take all these aspects into account when finding a replacement. Ultimately, we want to cast someone who is a good person because, after spending 12 hours a day together, we become like family. It’s important for the crew and co-stars to get along well. As I’ve created these characters I know what will be their journeys on the show. How to develop them. Pehle Tappu Sena Choti thi now they have passed out of college. So I keep all the factors in mind while casting."
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah has been running successfully for the past 16 years, and all the actors have become household names. When asked how he's managed to keep the show going for so long without a generation leap, Asit Kumarr Modi shared that the show's fresh storytelling, and constant effort to entertain the audience have played a key role. "Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah is watched so much, even the reruns, that we have to be careful not to repeat anything from old episodes in new ones. The challenge is to always bring something fresh. We've been celebrating Ganpati, Navratri, and other events for years, so we constantly think of new ways to entertain the audience. My team of writers and I work hard, brainstorming new stories that will keep viewers excited. Our main goal is to entertain. The audience has shown us so much love, especially towards me, and I don't think any producer has been as lucky to receive this much love."
He continued, "This kind of success comes with a lot of luck and hard work. My only goal is to create entertaining episodes. Whenever I hear from viewers that an episode felt like it was dragging, I feel just as upset as them. I wonder, 'Why did this happen?' Then, we work even harder and stay very disciplined. Taarak Mehta is unique in many ways, and we’ve never done a generation leap because it’s a comedy show. In daily soaps, leaps can bring freshness and open up new storylines, but in a comedy show like ours, it's much more challenging. I’m very happy that my team and I have managed to keep it going successfully."